by John D. HomanThe Southern

MARION, IL - At long last, Southern Illinois Miners Ballpark is taking shape. The large steel canopy roof structure that covers the concourse has been erected and a good portion of the block masonry work has been completed.

"Things are coming along well," said Mike Marchal, director of construction operations with Holland Construction Services in Swansea near Belleville, which is serving as the general contractor for the stadium project. "I'd say the stadium is about 70 percent complete at this time."

Total cost of the stadium off Illinois 13 near Menards is $15 million with the city of Marion dedicating one-eighth of a cent in sales tax dollars generated each year to help retire the debt of the bank loan secured by team owner Jayne Simmons. The Miners are a Frontier League team.

Marchal said that for the most part the weather has cooperated with construction efforts.

"There was about a three-week stretch in February we couldn't get much work done because of the cold, but overall, it's been a pretty mild winter. We've pretty much caught up with the schedule and will work both day and night over the next few weeks to ensure the stadium is ready to go by Opening Day (May 29)."

Marchal said plumbing, mechanical and electrical work continues on the concessions buildings and restrooms. There is also concrete to pour for the concourse, as well as additional concrete curbing for parking areas outside the stadium.

"The under side of all the steel has yet to be painted and we still have work to do in order to complete the corporate suites, but it's all coming together," he said. "What's really impressed me is the cooperation we have gotten from our 35 subcontractors. They have done everything we've asked of them in order to keep the project on schedule."

Tim Arseneau, general manager for the Miners, said season ticket sales are picking up once again with the warmer weather returning to the region and Major League Baseball in the midst of spring training. No specific numbers were released, but Arseneau said plenty of seats remain available for purchase, particularly box and reserved seating. There are fewer club seats available, he said.

"People are getting in the baseball spirit," he said. "And we're making great progress at the stadium. The light poles will be going up soon and we'll see our turf installed within the next couple of weeks."

Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, will install the turf system.

Sportexe turf systems can be found underfoot of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, along with the NCAA's University of California and University of Southern Mississippi. Sportexe is also featured at the University of Maryland's Shipley Field, one of the top baseball parks in the nation.